Scorpions Mackmyra Cherry Cask

Matured in a mix of American ex-bourbon barrels and former Oloroso sherry casks this Rock and Roll tie in has had an additional finish in German sweet cherry wine casks. Maybe to reflect the band is German? or they are sweet? Or little stone fruits? I dunno.

Experience

The elements in the label just need a bit more space to breath.

Right, lets start with the truth, I don’t really know the Scorpions. I recognise some of their songs but somehow seemed to have past me during deep dives into 80s glam metal. Of course as a designer I have seen their fantastic logo before, which is a nice segway into talking about this bottle.

Firstly, where is the Mackmyra logo on it? Instantly I am questoning if either the band wanted it to be soley about them, or Mackmyra didn’t fancy putting their name on it. After all, it seems a bit of a side step from their normal natural releases and higher proof.

While I like the big scorpions logo with the Rock n Roll Star text (even if the type face is only just readable) it soon becomes more squished as you work your way down. Make the Scorpion smaller, better spacing between “Single Malt Whisky” and “Cherry Cask” and the abv surly should be on display?

So enough poorly written design moaning, the rest of the experience of this bottle is a little lack luster, so I am generously giving it a 2.

Nose

Expecting a might thrust of a sting up the nostrils I was limply met with a very soft strawberry tart aroma, less scorpian more summertime snack. The cherry element is there with a slightly over sweet cherry coco cola can that has been left in a toasty car all day. It almost gives the illustion that there is added sugar in the glass like the last cola bottle in a pack of Haribo Tangfastics.

Taste

It thinly slides from the glass into the mouth with a very light and over diluted summer fruits squash flavour and texture. The first hint that this is a Mackmyra pops up with the fresh pine air fresher note which I find throughout their range. Very closely resembles cheap peach schnapps but with a slight sharp spirity note in the gums, maybe this is the sting after all?

A tiny little lemon kick comes round at the end providing a bit more freshness however that quickly fades with an overal limp finish. Now I am not saying it is bad, but seems more suited for Mumford & Sons than any “metal” band.

Value for Money

A quick hunt seems to show that it is mostly sold out at the convetional shops but of course you can grab a bottle at Bezo’s wonderland – https://amzn.to/3UIXYDG. However in my view there is a lot better bottles at the £65 price tag… A LOT BETTER.